Raiders continue Knights' misery

The Canberra Raiders have kicked off their season in impressive fashion, with a 39-14 victory over the Newcastle Knights in the round two National Rugby League match at Canberra Stadium.

Playing their first match of the season after having the bye in the opening round, the Raiders scored six tries to two and led the Knights 14-6 at half-time.

Clinton Schifcofske (2), Craig Frawley, Jason Smith, Matthew Gafa and Matt Adamson scored the home side's tries, while Schifcofske had a perfect night with the boot kicking six conversions, a penalty goal and a field goal.

Returning to Australia after three years with English club Leeds, Adamson said he was thrilled to be back home and playing for Canberra.

"I've done pretty much everything you can do in Canberra in the first four months except have a cup of tea with Johnny Howard - but I'll work on that in the next few weeks," he quipped.

For Newcastle, Reegan Tanner and Brad Tighe scored their tries, both converted by Andrew Johns who also added a penalty goal.

History was against the Knights who have only won once in the national capital and the loss leaves them winless after two rounds.

The 2001 NRL premiers lost their opening round match against the Melbourne Storm 48-10.

First half

The Raiders opened the scoring in the fifth minute after some clever lead-up play from half-back Lincoln Withers.

Positioned near the half-way line and taking the ball at first receiver, Withers used an angled run and a dummy pass to slip past Luke Quigley and Johns, before drawing Newcastle full-back Dustin Cooper as he offloaded to Schifcofske.

Schifcofske ran unopposed to score before converting his try to give the Raiders an early 6-0 lead.

With Withers and captain Simon Woolford sharing dummy-half duties, the Raiders were playing with great direction in attack but their second try came against the run of play.

Woolford pounced on a dropped ball from Matthew Gidley, as the Knights attacked the Raiders' line from 10 metres out, and made a 40-metre break down field.

As the defence converged, Woolford put boot to ball and placed a weighted kick from the half-way line for Frawley to chase.

The ball bounced perfectly for Frawley in the in-goal area, allowing the former Bronco to simply dive and ground the ball as he beat two Newcastle defenders.

Schifcofske added the extras and the Raiders led 12-0.

The home side had the chance to extend their lead when Alan Rothery crossed the Knights' try line, but his effort was disallowed after the ball was dislodged by the knee of a Newcastle defender.

The Raiders had another try-scoring chance dashed after Alan Tongue was judged to be off-side when he gathered a Woolford kick, but Schifcofske kicked a penalty in the 35th minute to establish a 14-0 lead.

The Knights finally got on the scoreboard as play approached half-time .

Tighe made an impressive run to place the Knights inside Canberra's 22, as they moved the ball from the right side of the field to the left, Newcastle used a second man play to feed Tanner.

The strongly-built second rower got on the outside of Adam Mogg to cross out wide.

Johns converted to close the gap on the scoreboard to eight points.

Second half

With Johns experiencing discomfort with an adductor complaint, it appeared the Knights might struggle in the second half, but in the 46th minute they scored their second try through Tighe.

The Knights had spread the ball wide to find Tighe close to the right flank and with Canberra using drift defence, he brilliantly changed the angle of his run to break through the line.

Tighe, making his NRL debut, used his outstanding pace to cross for Newcastle's second try and with Johns's conversion, the scoreline was now 14-12 in Canberra's favour.

The Raiders responded five minutes later when Smith crossed for the home side's third try.

Attacking the Newcastle try line, winger David Howell placed a kick into the in-goal area as he was being pushed into touch, and with the ball sitting up superbly, Smith was able to score unopposed.

Schifcofske added the conversion but Johns kept the Knights in contact on the scoreboard with a penalty goal in the 61st minute.

The Raiders were not fazed and they stretched their lead once more when replacement Gafa scored after being the recipient of a reckless pass from Newcastle lock Daniel Abraham.

As he was being driven backwards by the Canberra defence, Abraham passed the ball in hope it would find a team-mate, only for Gafa to take possession and cross for Raiders' fourth try.

With the conversion of Gafa's four pointer, the Raiders had confirmed their victory and late tries to Adamson and Schifcofske only increased the displeasure for Newcastle fans.